When putting a photo in a frame, most people just grab one from their local big box store and slap their photo in it. Not many people give much thought to the origin of the picture frame and how much it has evolved from its humble beginning. Today most picture frames are mass produced from composites of wood or metal but picture frames started as works of art in and of themselves.
The practice of framing pictures began as soon as man started drawing them on cave walls. The earliest evidence we have of ?frames? is on cave drawings dating from around the 2nd century BC. These rudimentary picture frames served to isolate and protect the art they surrounded. Picture frames resembling the ones we use today did not appear until the middle ages. Before frames were separate entities from the art they surrounded, the frame and painting would be produced on the same wall with the frame carved into the stone and the picture painted in the lowered middle surface. Eventually frames laboriously carved from wood made their debut. Artists in this period usually made the frames for their art themselves and as time went on the frames became more and more ornate. Artists were limited by the materials available to them and the earliest frames were embellished with gold or silver.
During the renaissance, furniture makers and wood carvers picked up the frame making trade. Picture frames began to evolve and took on different shapes and styles. Round and oval frames were seen for the first time as well as the use of veneer and inlay, reflecting the inspiration of the furniture maker. By this time frames were as highly regarded as the art they intended to protect and were often as expensive as the art itself if not more so.
By the 18th century new ways of manufacturing frames were developed that significantly reduced the amount of time it took to make a frame. However, with this innovation came the cheapening of picture frames because they could be produced so readily and with low cost materials. Frame makers began to use molds they filled with wood composite to quickly produce a frame. Many traditional frame makers were outraged that such inferior material was being used and that the frame had lost all of its integrity of craftsmanship. Many frame makers continued to produce frames of high quality wood by hand but the budding automation of frame production would make picture frames inexpensive and easily attained as the years went on.
Today you can still find frames carved by hand like they were originally made but mass produced frames made of metal and wood composite are much more common and cost efficient. However, if you search carefully, it is still possible to locate frames made by artisans who take the time to make each frame by hand. These artists often seek out natural materials for their creations.
The purpose of picture frames today remains the same as before, though, and they still serve to protect and enhance the photos displayed in them. Next time you look at the dizzying array of frames at the big box store, remember the artists that first produced frames and decide if you want to take advantage of the skill of artists who still take the time to create a masterpiece just for you.
Plaster picture frames can be a nightmare to move and so if you want it to stay in tact you will need to wrap it properly. Using plywood and bubble wrap can really help and it is not overly expensive either. When it comes to moving house one thing which many homeowners do not consider is how to move their pictures. Now with ordinary run of the mill pictures they are simply just wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a box. However what if the picture is actually a little more valuable than that?
Well some homeowners choose to have their pictures insured, wrapped in bubble wrap a number of times and even meters are hired to ensure that any severe bumps are avoided. Now really this is a little extreme, especially for pictures which may be valuable but not that valuable. So what do you do if you want to protect your pictures but you do not want to pay a lot of money to do so?
How to Pack Your Favorite Pictures perfectly
When it comes to packing your favourite pictures there are a number of things which you will need to keep in mind. The first is can the frame be damaged if there are a lot of bumps on the way to your new home? The second is can the paint on the picture flake because of bumping on the road and finally can the picture end up ruined by the glass smashing on the journey?
It is often the frame that can be quite valuable on a picture and so you really do need to take care of it as well as the actual picture itself. If you have a wooden frame then you can easily protect it using newspaper or any other padded paper. However if your picture has a plaster frame then it could be a little more tricky.
Usually the only safe way to pack a plaster type frame is by measuring it and cutting some plywood to fit. You simply stick the plywood onto the frame, ensuring that you measure the plywood a little longer and wider than the frame itself. This will really help to protect the frame and stop it from chipping or breaking. They will absorb the shock from any bumps which the picture may have, but you do have to ensure that the picture cannot move when the boards are on top of it, otherwise damage could still be done.
Once the wood is carefully on there, it is then a good idea to place bubble wrap around it. This will further protect it and keep the frame safe. Also another thing to keep in mind is that placing bubble wrap under the picture before the plywood is placed on top, as well as padded paper, will help to protect the picture further as otherwise the wood could break the plaster.
Overall pictures do need to be looked after and packed well to avoid any potential disasters, especially if it is a plaster frame. So whilst you do not have to go overboard and take out insurance, it would be a good idea to properly protect the picture ready for its journey to your new home.
Both Kathy Page & Adam Peters are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kathy Page has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Marriage and Home Management. Kathy Page and her daughter, Casey, operate which provides an opportunity to find. Kathy Page's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Adam Peters has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bathroom Home Improvement, Exhaust and Home Management. Adam Peters is a syndicated editor of .More. Adam Peters's top article generates over 823000 views. to your Favourites.